ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – With a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in 2014, it's easy to see why the Broncos might be "wide receiver heaven." But with the addition of a new head coach and offensive coordinator for the 2015 season, things could change.
To wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders that isn't necessarily true: "[No.] 18 is still at the helm. You never know."
Newly-appointed Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison will look to have a more balanced attack in 2015. A trademark of Dennison's traditional coaching style, Denver will now look to rely on both the rushing and passing offense as opposed to last year's emphasis on the passing game.
"It's definitely different," said Sanders. "You talk about going from a no-huddle offense to an offense that's huddling up, to an offense that is predicated off running a football and then throwing it. It's different."
The Broncos took to the field to begin OTAs with the season just a few months away. Here are shots from Wednesday's action. (All photos by DenverBroncos.com digital staff)
CBs Bradley Roby and Aqib Talib perform a drill on Wednesday during OTAs.
C/G Gino Gradkowski grapples with T Ty Sambrailo on Wednesday during OTAs.
Quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp applies pressure to Peyton Manning on Wednesday during OTAs.
LBs Brandon Marshall (54), Danny Trevathan (59) and Shane Ray (56) look on during practice on Wednesday during OTAs.
Chris Harris takes his helmet off for a short break during OTAs on Wednesday.
NT Sylvester Williams performs a drill as defensive line coach Bill Kollar watches on Wednesday during OTAs.
RB Montee Ball cuts upfield during Wednesday's practice.
LB Brandon Marshall watches practice on Wednesday during OTAs.
CB Chris Harris Jr. looks to make a catch during practice on Wednesday during OTAs.
Peyton Manning looks over to talk to TE Owen Daniels during Wednesday's OTA.
CB Taurean Nixon and members of the Broncos secondary during a short break on Wednesday during OTAs.
P Karl Schmitz prepares to uncork a punt on Wednesday during OTAs.
DE Malik Jackson performs drills as Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips watches.
RB Ronnie Hillman looks to run as NT Sylvester Williams catches up with him.
Special Teams Coordinator Joe DeCamillis watches over special teams practice.
G Ben Garland blocks against C/G Max Garcia on Wednesday during OTAs.
Defenders in the Broncos secondary prepare for a drill on Wednesday during OTAs.
LB Steven Johnson, S David Bruton and more during a drill on Wednesday during OTAs.
CB Bradley Roby at practice on Wednesday during OTAs.
QBs Peyton Manning and Zac Dysert look on as coach Greg Knapp instructs on Wednesday during OTAs.
CB Tevrin Brandon during practice on Wednesday at OTAs.
Running backs coach Eric Studesville talks to his players during Wednesday's OTAs practice.
While the Broncos' offensive scheme is changing and evolving, he remains excited and ready to embrace the changes.
"It's a totally different set up, but I tell you what, the more and more I'm in it," said Sanders. "Because we can get the run game going and just use my vertical speed on cross routes and all these different combinations of routes is based off the play action, then I think the offense will be successful with Peyton Manning at the helm."
The shift could affect Sanders, who hauled in 101 receptions for 1,404 yards in 2014, the third-most in the AFC and fifth-most in the NFL. Teamed with Demaryius Thomas' 1,698 receiving yards, the wide receiver duo were the only teammates to each tally more than 1,400 receiving yards in the NFL.
"Of course obviously it's not going to be one of those offenses, well I'm praying that it is, but obviously it's not going to be one of those offenses where you catch it and you're going to have two receivers catching over 100 passes," said Sanders. "Hopefully, my goal is really to try to get a 1,000 yards to just help this team win ball games."
Despite the possibility of decreased reps, Sanders still has his mind focused on doing whatever it takes to win. For Sanders, the only stat that matters comes from the win column: "I think a good year this year is winning the Super Bowl first of all, it don't matter about the stats…"
